What are the best progressive rock songs of all time?
It’s a rather subjective question, but.. challenge accepted (with a feeling of great responsibility!) I am biased in that I think the best prog music was made in the 1970s, which was its heyday. Of course I cannot complain too loudly when we have later outstanding groups like Spock’s Beard, Transatlantic, and Porcupine Tree.Here we go with the 1970s (in no particular order):Yes - Roundabout - this hit the American charts and was a catalyst in the early 70s in making a lot of people interested in Prog:King Crimson - 21st Century Schizoid Man (not available on Youtube in its original release form). Considered by many to be the most groundbreaking Prog composition ever written. Here is an outstanding live version, though.Genesis - Supper’s Ready - some consider Close to the Edge by Yes to be the best long form Prog song, but I would say it is this one.Focus - Hocus Pocus. Some consider this to be Prog’s best instrumental. I have yet to hear a guitar solo with as much blistering speed yet with perfection as Jan Akkerman on this track.Gentle Giant - Knots - doesn’t get more original than this. One of the best examples of the genius of this genre.Enjoy!
What is your favorite short (maximum of 3 minutes) progressive rock song?
I’m not sure about that lofty 3:00 run time, but here’s my favorite prog song that’s under 90 seconds:>> White Car by Yes
What are you favorite Italian Progressive Rock bands?
And what are your favorite albums and songs by them? And if you're not familiar with any, here are some of my favorites: Impressioni Di Septembre - Premiata Forneria Marconi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0JNhd9Hh... Figure Di Cartone - Le Orme http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFWb77PG5... A Volte Un Instante Di Quiete - Locanda Delle Fate http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Cgm_C8z9... A Forma Di... - Quella Vecchia Locanda http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iQo5y7k2IA C'e Un Paese Al Mondo - Maxophone http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvIs9129apE What do you think? Isn't it some of the most beautiful music ever? Thanks! And special thanks to Libby for sparking my interest in this "geographical genre". BQ: A non-English and non-Italian song that you like? (First time Yahoo suggested Rock and Pop! I guess I just need to mention the word Rock in every question, and hope they don't suggest Geology)
What is your favorite song by Plini, the prog metal/rock artist?
Paper Moon.Holy crap, where to begin with this song. It starts off with a bang from Marco Minneman’s set up into some huge chords followed by some sixteenth note runs all while constantly switching time signatures. It then transitions to some lines with omitted base notes while Marco keeps the groove going with his carefully placed fills.Then there’s a beautiful arppegiated section over under a tasteful bass solo from Simon Grove while Marco delivers a cool polyrhythmic groove, transitioning back to a similar groove as in the start but this time with an overlying guitar melody. It then arrives at a similar arpeggiated section, but this time with a beautiful sweep pick solo from Plini.After another chord section, the beautiful interlude begins, one of my favorite moments in any prog song. Plini plays a lovely legato melody over some synth backgrounds and drum samples. Eventually Marco and Simon both come back in, and continue a similar, somewhat ambient groove under Plini's melody.It continues and continues to build, the rhythm guitar comes back, and soon you're entranced in Plini's exquisite writing. It's hard to describe this section but it's basically just three minutes of eargasm. When that last chord hits, you're just left sitting there like what did I just listen to.A true masterpiece.Although, some of those songs on Handmade Cities do come pretty close.
What progressive rock songs or bands would you recommend for a newcomer to the genre?
I’d say there are the oldies but goodies:YesGenesisPeter GabrielRushEmerson, Lake & PalmerGentle GiantKing CrimsonPink FloydAnd the newer stuffMarillionSpock’s BeardNeal MorseIQSagaAnd if your friend is a metal-head, then he/she might enjoyDream TheaterAnimals as LeadersTesseracT
Progressive rock is often call pretentious. Is it?
Progressive rock is often called pretentious. Is it? Why does androgyny make some people uncomfortable? To what degree was glitter an expression of homosexuality, and to what degree was it merely rebellion against those who were easily offended by it? Might glitter have reflected or promoted the gay rights movement?
What is your favorite section of the prog-rock epic, 2112?
2112 is a lot of great things, but most importantly it’s a great story.The most primitive, raw and human part of this story is the section called Presentation.Listen to my music. Hear what it can do.I love self-reflecting lyrics of Rush. I love how they can convey the most profound emotions using unbeliavably complex orchestration. I love how they can perform it in such a way that you almost actually convince yourself that it’s easy to do.There’s something here as strong as life. I know that it will reach you.All of the band play their both the smoothest and the harshest parts during the song, repeatedly. The floating, fragile guitar melodies, almost “liquid” drums and the basic but incredibly catchy bass licks on one sideAnd the most punchy, direct, rhytmic riffs that build up to an epicly angry voice on the other side.This is the “moment” of the song that makes the story great, and it’s the part that best represents how amazingly out of this world Rush is.